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Mere restaurant open again

A recently refurbished restaurant in Ellesmere will be opening its doors to the public this weekend.

The Boathouse Restaurant will open on Saturday and initially be open every day from 10am to 5pm where customers will be able to choose from a variety of dishes all of which are sourced from local producers.

The Boathouse has undergone a £2 million restoration as part of the Mere Heritage Project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery programmes.

The newly revamped restaurant also offers a dedicated function room which is available for meetings, community activities, private receptions, children’s birthday parties and evening wedding receptions.

Managed by Shropshire Council, it now acts as the hub for visitor activities on the Mere promenade, offering information services and a new exhibition. Outside, a timber decking area creates a setting for visitors to enjoy tranquil views of the Mere.

Councillor Steve Charmley, portfolio holder for culture and leisure within Shropshire Council, said: “The Boathouse has been sensitively restored to create a welcoming and pleasant environment to sit and enjoy the Mere while sampling home-made cakes. With comfy sofas, an external terrace and views second to none the restaurant is bound to be an important destination for visitors to Ellesmere.”

The new exhibition includes a new Wildlife Watch feature with live links to wildlife around the Mere; visitors can scan the mere using the interactive cameras. A new cabinet of curiosities includes original material that tells the story of the Mere, its wildlife, people and customs.

Councillor Ann Hartley, local member for Shropshire Council, said: “We are thrilled to see the opening of the Boathouse Restaurant.

“The recent developments at the Mere, as well as other developments in Ellesmere, such as the Wharf, are creating a fantastic visitor destination.”